*Leggings, tights, and socks must be solid, school-approved, uniform colors.

MICHAEL C. RILEY EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER

OCT. 5

Operation Take Flight orientation will be at 4 p.m. in the Early Childhood Center Media Room. Volunteers are needed to tutor kindergarten students who need help recognizing letters and sounds. Volunteers are needed to work with one or two students 20 or 45 minutes at a time between 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. one day a week, Monday-Friday. Call Kathy Wipper at 707-0800.

MICHAEL C. RILEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Student council elections

Student council elections were held for grades three through five classrooms. Students circulated petitions among their teachers, parents and peers to obtain signatures supporting them to run for office. Two representatives were elected from each classroom. Students in grades four and five elected executive council members that consist of the president, vice president, secretary, treasurer and historian.

2011-2012 Executive Council

Co-presidents: Dasia Lucas and Jaden Goethe

Vice president: Lisa Campion

Secretary: Ridge Dowe

Treasurer: Brandon Najera

Co-historians: Emmie Hudson and Taylor Stevens

Some activities and events planned for the year include a visit to Bluffton Town Hall, a holiday food drive, a fall holiday yard sale, a field trip to the state house in January and delivering Valentine’s Day Cards to senior citizens.

MAP Testing

Fall Measures of Academic Progress for grades two through five will continue throughout September.

Rotary Readers and Mentoring Program orientation

The M.C. Riley Elementary School and Early Childhood Center are seeking volunteers for two programs.

Rotary Reader helps to encourage the love of reading and volunteers are needed to read on a weekly basis with individual students at school.

The Mentoring Program helps a child increase its self-esteem and academic achievement through providing a positive influence on the student’s development.

Orientation for both programs will be held at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 14. Call Carol Walters, school counselor, at 706-8345.

SEPT. 6-9

American Pride Week

Various activities throughout the week will celebrate American Pride and remember Sept. 11, 2001.

SEPT. 9

Michael C. Riley Student Council will sponsor a commemorative assembly at 9:30 a.m. in the Flag Court Garden. Faculty, staff, students and community will gather for patriotic songs, student poetry and essay readings. This year, student council will recognize and honor families of M.C. Riley who have family members presently serving or have served in the war in Iraq. Guests will include members of the Bluffton Fire Department, the Bluffton Police Department, Bluffton Mayor Lisa Sulka and members of the Lowcountry Golf Course Superintendent Association who constructed and dedicated the Flag Court Garden to the heroes of 9/11. The guest speaker Steven Morello.

SEPT. 12

School Improvement Council from 6-7 p.m.

SEPT. 13

ESOL Family Night - 6-8 p.m. Parents and students of ESOL students are invited to participate in different activities related to ESOL instruction at Michael C. Riley.

OKATIE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

SEPTEMBER

• Students are asked to write about where they and their family were on Sept. 11, 2001, for the WHOOS writing topic this month.

• MAP Testing continues for grades two-five.

• Friday is spirit shirt day

• Friday folders going home this week will have school and grade level newsletters.

SEPT. 6

• Okatie’s Half Marathon Challenge begins its six-week training.

• S.T.A.R.S. Drama Club begins 3:30-5 p.m.

SEPT. 7

• KIDS ON THE RUN Club is back in action.

• Spirit Squad’s gathers from 3:30-4:45 p.m.

SEPT. 9

“We Remember 9/11” ceremony 9–9:30a.m. Local members of fire and police departments as well as the Urban K9 Search and Rescue organization will be on hand.